Re Paul Bibby’s report last week on the death of the $2.3m grant for ‘the notorious’ Clifford Street intersection.
Amidst all the blame-shifting, and flak copped by Council staff for doing their job and seeking an achievable fix for a black spot, it was interesting to finally read the mayor defending their knowledge of what is and isn’t deliverable. It might have been good to note such advice before throwing away such a long-awaited solution.
What would also have been admirable from the mayor would have been an explanation of the following information that was thought best buried in the shouting:
‘… Council reported the available information approved for public release… during the 23 May, 2024 Council meeting and through follow up monthly grant reports: Staff are typically not required to seek community engagement for proposed road safety improvement decisions or grant funding applications. These matters relate to the safety of the community and as Council is the road authority, we are required to consider the needs of all road users, particularly vulnerable road users.’
Source: Public Access: Questions on notice.
Even better would have been for councillors to have taken account, in their decision-making, of this sobering responsibility.
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